Arsenal have been held to a frustrating 0-0 draw by French club Olympique Marseille in a fairly open Group F affair at the Emirates Stadium tonight.
The Gunners, who started without in-form striker Robin van Persie, had by far the better of the chances throughout the contest as the visiting Marseille managed just one shot on target but the result is by no means a disaster for either club.
The home side's best chances came in the 10th minute when Gervinho played a neat ball out wide to Theo Walcott who took a touch before unleashing a shot from just outside the area which Marseille keeper Steve Mandanda managed to get a hand to.
The next one came just over ten minutes later through a great build-up involving Walcott and Mikel Arteta with the former finding Andre Santos on the left and the barnstorming Brazilian providing a cross to the back post for Aaron Ramsey whose volley from close range missed the lot.
In the 24th minute, Marseille's Loic Remy was inches wide with his curling shot from the edge of the area after cutting inside with a neat one-two just minutes before Gervinho forced a quality save from Mandanda with his attempt from outside the area.
Ramsey had too much time on the half-hour mark when played in by Gervinho with his final shot being blocked by Alou Diarra and a late opportunity for van Persie - an audacious chip from a tight angle - was safely held by Mandanda.
Arsenal were more stretched in the second half although the visitors never really had any clearcut chances and they will be chuffed to come away from the Emirates Stadium with a point which keeps them in second place on the group table, one point in arrears of the Gunners with Borussia Dortmund now third following their 1-0 home win over Olympiakos.
Champions League - Group F
Arsenal (ENG): 0 Marseille (FRA): 0 Emirates Stadium, North London
Yellow cards:ARS - Tomas Rosicky 85' MAR - Alou Diarra 40'
